Gender Health in Foster Care (AB 2119)

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) youth are significantly overrepresented in California’s foster care system. Unfortunately, some personnel, caregivers, and providers harbor the same biases and misinformation that jeopardize these young people in their families and communities, subjecting them to unstable placements, fewer opportunities to achieve permanency, and lack of access to medically necessary care. Child welfare agencies are already required to assess the health and behavioral health needs of all young people in foster care, and to ensure they receive appropriate and timely care to address the needs identified by qualified professionals. AB 2119 will make clear that, to meet this obligation for TGNC youth, child welfare agencies must ensure access to clinicians who provide gender-affirming treatment, consistent with established standards of care.